Intravenous infusion of lidocaine enhances the efficacy of conventional treatment of postherpetic neuralgia

摘要

BackgroundPostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one kind of severe neuropathic pain which currently cannot be effectively cured. Recent researches suggest that intravenous infusion of lidocaine has a therapeutic effect on neuropathic pain such as PHN; however, the optimal dose and frequency of lidocaine infusion and the effectiveness and safety of this treatment in PHN patients still needs more clinical research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of daily intravenous lidocaine infusion on the outcome of the routine treatment of PHN.